The National tribune., 1887-11-03
TIE r,Rn11rA cAMpA1ax.

equally successful in the encounters had with
the opposing forces. although in number they
had greatly the advantage. Wheeler being re-
inforced by Hampton, the beau ideal of their
Southern chivalry.
The first brush with the enemy was at Edisto;
next at Aiken, which was a stubborn and pro-
longed contest, both sides sustaining consider
able loss; then at Salkehatchie Bridge, Black
vile JOhnson's Station, Rockingham Station
and SOlomon's Grove. At Monroe's Crossroads
Fitzpatrick met with an experience both novel
and unpleasant caused through interrupted
dispatches and the separation of his brigades.
Just about daylight three divisions of COnfed-
crate cavalry under Hampton rode in upon
him, captured his headquarters, with one or
two members Of his staff, most, If not all, his
escort, and driving his trOOps-a whole brigade
from their bivouac, where they had to leave
both their horses and arms. Fitzpatrick him
self
BARELY ESCAPED CAPTURE.
Though minus coat and hat-he had not yet
completed his tOilet-he took leg bail, and made
a bee-line for the timber through which his
troops were scattered, and he not only reached,
but succeeded In rallying them. He also Sc
cured horse, a very tame and dilapidated
one, must confess, and truth requires that it
should also be owned that he had TO ride him
bareback. His appearance on this occasion
was in striking contrast with that usually pre-
sented by him. Nevertheless, as l have said,
the boys rallied around Fitzpatrick, and, COM
manding them to follow him and charge, they
rushed boldly, impetuously forward, regained
the camp and possession of their weapons, and
in less time than can tell it, they compelled
the enemy not only to retire, but TO relinquish
all. or nearly all, the mon and animals pre-
viously captured by them. Hampton on this
occasion
PAID DEARLY FOR HIS TEMERITY,
the loss sustained by him being very great, and
the killed including one General officer and
two Colonels. This time Fitzpatrick whipped
Hampton "out of his boots and with scarcely
anything more than that article of apparel on
himself, and with but one brigade, not more
than one-third of Hampton's forces.
Referring to this incident, Mr. j. t. Headly,
a noted military historian. says: Zone of Kill
patrick's striking peculiarities is that he
never admits any condition to be so desperate
that it cannot be remedied, and, like Gen.
Taylor, he never knows when he is defeated"
IL was, he says, "a wonderful escape, and 3
most wonderful success. Not one commander
in thousand would or could have done what
he did under the circumstances"
AS DIPLOMAT.
In regard to Kilpatrick's diplomatic career,
which he entered upon shortly after the war,
will only remark that it was one in which he
our Minister to Chilli being so highly appreci-
ated by the Government that he served in that
capacity about six years, and was at his post
of duty when overtaken by death. Three or
four years after his appointment as Minister TO
Chilli. Gen. Fitzpatrick married at Santiago n
Chilian lady of distinguished family, who,
with two children, girls the fruit of this union,
survive him.
While have given but bare and imperfect
nnfl lina of ha iunp nta of lar
Kilpatrick's career, the hope is INDUCED that
it may serve the purposes of the present oc-
casion, namely, to discharge duty we owe his
memory, and tend to revive and keep alive
that patriotic interest in him and his achieve
ments which all his countrymen, more espec-
tally his comrades, should feel, but which, it
would seem, has been kept in allegiance by
reason of his long absence, death, and burial in
foreign land.
From the facts thus presented, surely none
will deny that Fitzpatrick gave incontestible
proof of his loyalty, courage, and ability, or
that he is justly entitled to share the credit
for the successful issue of tho late war. And
what more fitting or eloquent tribute could be
paid him than to
RECOUNT HIS vALoRoUs DEEDs2
Is it not of itself splendid panegyric? Can
more be said Of any Of our soldiers, living Or
dead? Did any of them respond earlier. OF
with more alaerity, in offering their services to
the State in its hour of danger, or give more
satisfactory proof of their courage and loyalty
Though outranked by many, yet i boldly
assert the Union army could boast Of no com.
mander who excelled Fitzpatrick for long and
continuous service, and for the number and
brilliancy of his triumphs over the enemy;
and as for exposures to personal hardships and
| dangers and active participation in daring ex-
ploits, Kilpatrick's pre-eminence Is indispu'
| table He was no carpet knight" and oi
service in the Invalid and Reserve Corps he
was absolutely without experience; but he
earned his stars where he received his battle.
scars; and we may truly say that during the
entire conflict he was at the front, where the
| battle ragged the hercest, and that from hi:
shield and helmet there sparkled an incessant
blaze"
His duty it was, time and again, TO lead the
| advancing columns Of our armies in theil
forward movements, or in protecting theil
| rear and fianks; in being generally the first Il
encounter and the last to battle with tn.
enemy. To him also was assigned the
| EXTRA HAZARDOUS DUTY
of penetrating the enemy's country for th,
purpose of either reconnoitering, or of captur
| ing, destroying, or cutting Off their supplies
of following up and harassing their retreatinI
| columns, or of retarding their progress; alst
| of making feints and manuvers, and keepinJ
the enemy in constant state of uncertainty
as to the real intention of the Commander-in
Chief. And can it ever be forgotten that il wa
at his suggestion and under his leadership tina
the attempt was made to enter Richmond b.
coup de main and rescue the $4,000 or 20.00
boys in blue who were imprisoned there
or rather / should say who were entombed aliv
in the most foul and execrable dens and dun
geons of which history gives any account.
And, finally, who among our heroic soldiers
living or dead, more truly represents the younl
men of the army. TO whom is due, in larg
measure, the credit for the success of our arm
in the late great war, and who, at the threshold
of their career, went forth to battle for th
honor and safety of the Nation? Is not xii
patrick the perfect type of this class in hi
youthfulness, irrepressible zeal, and invincibl
intrepedity, and should not this fact, of itseli
make his name and fame doubly dear an,
precious to the hearts of his countrymen3 No
should it be forgotten that his early demise
traeeable to his army services and wounds re
ceived in battle.
Fitzpatrick, the brave, dashing cavalry leader
is dead, aud no more on earth shall we see hi
manly form or hear his cheerful voice. bu
though his body has perished. his glOriou
deeds, his brilliant achievements are immorta
and must ever be contemplated with both salts
faction and pride by the brave and patriotic
every land and cline.